Sealing electrodes into quartz bulbs



Feb. 17, 1942'. a. A. FREEMAN 2,273,439-

SEALING ELECTRODES INTO QUARTZ BULBS Filed 'Aug. 6, 1940 '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR a. a. F 55mm ATTORNEY Feb. 17, 1942. e. A. FREEMAN 2,273,439

SEALING ELECTRODES INTO QUARTZ BULBS Fil ed Aug. 6, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIII/III/III nrnrwm l INVENTOR a. a. F'IFEEMfl/V.

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ATTORNEY Feb. 17, 1942. s. A. FREEMAN SEALING ELECTRODES INTO QUARTZ BULBS Filed Aug. 6, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR G.fl

ATTORNEY Patent No. 2,215,641, dated Sep Patented Feb. 17, 1942 George A. East mm, N. 1., asrignor of Pennsylvania to Westinghouse Electric a Manufacturing A Company, Bast Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation Application August a, 1940, Serial no. 351,627

13Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of quartz lamps and more particularly to a machine developed to replace the slow, highlyskilled, hand operation formerly used for sealing electrodes into the bulbs thereof. i

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is to provide a method and machine 'to facilitate the manufacture of quartz lamps.

Another object of my invention is to manufacture quartz lamps in an improved manner involving no rotating parts.

A still further object of my invention is a machine for sealing electrodes into quartz lamps, in which provision is made for lateral and ver- ,tical adjustment of .the electrode position, a

chuck is provided for receiving either a single or a double bead electrode, and in which means is provided for changing the position of and vibrating the fires, as well as foot controlfor releasing the lamp being manufactured and adjusting the pressure of the inert gas therein, whereby the speed of production may be increased and less skill required.

Other objects and advantages of the invention, relating to the particular arrangement and and owned by the assignee of the present application. In accordance with said earlier appli-. cation, the envelope, of a quartz lamp-to be manufactured, is placed in'the chuck of a lathe construction of the various parts, will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevatiunal view, with parts in section, of a machine embodying my invention.

Fig.2 is a side elevational view, from the left, 1

of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

. Fig. 3 is a plan of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line IV-IV of Fig. 2, in the direction of. the arrows.

- Fig. 5 is a detailed elevational view of the resilient plug, for sealing one end of the lamp being manufactured, and associated parts. i

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan of the machine, with parts in horizontal section, on the line VI-VI of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7-is a detailed sectional view. on the line VII-V11 of Fig. l, in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a quartz lamp which my machine is adapted to make.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of'the parts shown in Fig. 5. I

The present invention is an improvement over Serial No. 242,178, filed November 25, 1938, now

- that described and claimed in my application mber 24, 1940, 5

and the electrodes sealed, one at a time, into the ends thereof, while rotating. The method and machine of the present invention were developed to replace the slow, highly skilled operation required in accordance with said earlier application.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like-parts being designated by like reference characters, there is shown a table or bench ll, upon which is mounted a machine l2. The machine i2, of the present embodiment comprises a base l3, from which extends a bracket M, in which are movably mounted rods l5 and It. The bracket i4 also carries an upright tubular member il in which reciprocates anoperating rod Iiiv for the chuck l3, adapted to hold the quartz lamp, envelope or tube 2|, while being manufactured.

The chuck-l9 comprises guides 22, supported on the upper end of the tubular member 11, and gripping members 23, which are guided upwardly and outwardly by virtue of diagonal guide ribs 24, fitting corresponding grooves in the members 23, when the rod 18 is raised. The rod and its opposite end embraces a socket member 34 and receives lugs 35 and 36 thereon. The

socket member 34 fits over the lower end of the tubular member I! and, when the pedal 21 is depressed, raises the rod [8 against the action of the spring 31. The spring 31 acts between the lower end of the tubular member 11 and a collar 33 on the lower end portion of the rod IS.

The machine is also provided with an upper chuck 35, comprising a member 4| socketed to receive either the lead-in conductor of a single electrode 42 or the lead-in conductors of a double electrode 43, or one comprising a main electrode and a starting electrode, which conductor or conductors are clamped therein by means of a lever 44 pivoted to the supporting member 45, as indicated at 45, and having a lower arm pointed, as indicated at 41 and urged into engagement with the secured wire or wires of the supported electrode by means of a coil spring.

43 acting betweenthe upward extension 49 of socket member I4, which fits in a corresponding opening 52 in the supporting member 45.

Vertical movement of the chuck I9 is effected by means of a hand lever 53, pivoted to the bracket I4, as indicated at 54, and to the reciproeating rod I5, as indicated at 55. The upper end of the rod I5 has a reduced extension 58 passing through an aperture 51 in a connecting plate 58. The plate 58 is secured to the rod I5 by means of a nut 59 threaded to the extension 56, and tightened toclamp down on the plate 58. The plate 58 has a notch in which a reduced portion SI of the tubular member I1 fits, so that movement of the operating lever 53 is transmitted to the member I1 for raising or lowering the chuck i9.

In order to insure that the chuck I9 stays in the position to which it is moved, I provide an aperture in the bracket I4, communicating with the aperture which receives the rod I5, and insert a pin 82 therein. I cause said pin to frictionally engage the rod I5 by resilient means, such as a plate spring 63, one end of which engages the outer end thereof, and the central portion of which is secured in place to the outer face of the bracket I4, as by means of a wing bolt 84.

The upper chuck 39 is adjusted in a similar manner by means of the hand lever 85, which is likewise pivoted to the bracket I4, connected to the reciprocating rod I8 by means of a pivot pin 66, and provided with a counterbalance 18, for said rod and associated parts, adjustably positioned on a rearward extension thereof. The rod I8 is also preferably held in position by a movable pin 81, frictionally'engaging the same, as under the action of the spring 88. The upper end of the rod I8 carries a plate 88 to which is secured a yoke-59 through which the tubular member I1 passes. The yoke 89 receives between it and the plate 68, a connecting plate 1I having a lateral extension 12 apertured, as in-- 'dicated at 13, to receive the lower end portion of a rod 14 which, in turn, passes through a bracket member 15, secured to the tubular member I1, as by means of screws 18 and 11.

Angular members 18 and 19 are secured to the yoke 69, at the sides thereof, as by means of screws 8|. Ends of these angular members project beyond the yoke 59 at the sides of the connecting plate 1I. These extensions are threaded and receive stop screws'82 and 83, locked in adjusted positions, as by means of nuts 84 and 85, the inner ends of said screws providing a desired adjustable clearance at the sides of the plate 1 I, to limit turning movement of said plate, tubular member I1, chuck I9, and the associated parts about the bracket I4.

To the upper end of the rod 14 is secured a connecting collar 88 through which a rod 81 passes, the lower end of said rod also passing through the member 15. Turning of the rod 81 and supported parts is eflected by means of an adjusting screw 88,.having a knurled operating head 89 threaded into flanges 9I and 92 depending from the connecting collar 88. An intermediate portion of the screw 88 carries nuts 93 and 94 held in adjusted position by lock nuts 95 I and 98, and movably securing therebetween a flange 91 outstanding from a collar member 98 secured to the rod 81, as by means of a screw 99. It will thus be seen that turning of the knurled member 89 efi'ects a limited rotation of the rod 81, and through it the supported head member I8! and the slidably mounted member 45. The

'the lever 44 and the upper'portion 5|, of the latter is adjustably connected to the member IN by a screw I88, tumable in a depending flange portion of the said member by its knurled head, and thereby effecting lateral movement of the same.

It will thus be seen that the lever eifects vertical movement 01' the upper chuck 39 through connecting members I8, 88, 1|, 14, 88, 98, 81, I8I, and 45. Bodily turning movement of the chucks '39 and I9 is effected by a swinging the member 15, as by its handle II8. Swinging movement of the chuck 39 about the axis of the rod 81 is effected by turning the knurled operating head 89.

In order to effect fusion of the seal glass end portions of the quartz envelope 2I about the electrode lead wires, there is provided a heating device I82 which,'in the present embodiment, comprises four oxyhydrogen burners I83, I84, I85, and I88 which direct fires I81 to a central point therebetween. The burners are fed with oxygen and hydrogen through flexible tubes I88 and I89. which connect, for mixing of the gases, and unite with a metal tube III serving to support said burners. The whole heating arrangement, in the present embodiment, is supported from an upright member I I2, secured to the base I3 of the machine and carrying a bracket H3 in which is adjustably slidable a rod I I4 having an operating handle H5. The rod II4 carries the pipe III and connected burners I83 to I88, inclusive, by means of fiat leaf spring II8, making it possible to cause up and down vibration of the fires I81 during sealing. The position of the upright H2 and the length of the rod II4 are such that said rod is slidable in the bracket H8 from the position shownin Fig. 1, where the burners surround the envelope 2|, to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, where the burners are out of the way.

The rod II2 also desirably carries a collar II1 supporting'a yoke II8 which, in turn, carries a frame H9, and apiece of green or other filter glass I2 I, which serves to protect the eyes of the operator during the sealing-inprocess.

Back of the sealing position of the tube 2I, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is a mirror I22, supported on a bracket I23 so that the operator may, without trouble, get a view of the back of the quartz envelope 2| during the sealing-in process.

In order to prevent oxidation of the electrodes leads during the sealing-in process, I desirably provide for the introduction of inert gas, such as nitrogen, through the exhaust tube I24 extending from the side of the envelope 2|, and preferably disposed adjacent the initially lower end, in order to benefit most from the inert gas flush. Said exhaust tube is, therefore connected by means of afiexible tube I 25 to a line I21 from which the. nitrogen flows. A valve I28 is desirably associated with said line I21 and controlled by means of a pedal I28 through a chain or other described by loading a quartz envelope or bulb 2I thereinto after first closing the lower end thereof, by means of a rubber cap or plug III.

In the present instance, am assuming that the oxide (B203). and 4% alumina (A1203).

lamp bulb 2| has been previously prepared with "sealing glass on each end and holes blown .where the electrode beads are to be sealed thereto,

and having an open exhaust tube I24 extending laterally therefrom or substantially perpendicular to the lamp axis. The sealing glass forming the non-cylindrical portions of the .bulb II approximately 83% quartz ($102), 13% boric I find itpreferable thatv the hole closed by the cap I3I is the smaller one or that adapted to receive the single electrode 42. The cap .I3I may be handled by mounting on a projection I33 on the end portion of a. plate I33. The lower side of th plate I33 desirably has a depending projection I34 around which a coiled spring I-31 is centered, the lower end of said spring fitting over over a boss I35 at the upper end of the operating rod I8. The" envelope or tube 2| is then fixed in the chuck I9, as by depressing the pedal 31 and then releasing it to allow the jaws 23 to grip said envelope therebetween, the cap or plug I3I be'ing held in position over the lower hole in 284,575, previously referred to, is then inserted in the chuck 39. The bulb and the electrode are moved together approximately to the position where they will be after being sealed, as by mean of the levers 53 and 65.

The fires I01 are then moved into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6, to heat the seal glass about the bead I36 of the electrode 43, while the latter is protected by the inert gas.

The electrode 43 is then moved around to close the seal quickly, as by means of one or both the adjusting screws 83 and 100, with or without movement of the bracket member 15, after the material has been softened to the desired extent. The fires I01 are then pushed aside an'd,- while the glass is still soft, the seal is blown around by increasing the gas pressure by movement of the control pedal I28. The lamp 2| and end cap I 3| are then taken from the chuck I9, the

cap I3I being removed, and the lamp turned,

other end up. and'put back in the chuck I9, for the second seal.

In the present instance, the second 'seal is made with the single electrode 42, although the operations maybe reversed if desired. The electrode chuck has two holes in it, so that either type bead can be accommodated. After the second electrode has been sealed in the end of the bulb, preferably in the same manneras the first, the lamp is removed and the exhaust tube {I23 tipped oil, leaving a portion about 2" long, so that the nitrogen or other inert gas may be retained therein until the lamp has been exhausted.

trodes into quartz lamps, said machine involving important features. such as no rotating parts, an oxyhydrogen burner having four or six fires placed around a circle, mounted on a spring for .slight vertical motion, and laterally movable for convenient disposition when not wanted, as during loading. The machine also has a two-way lateral adjustment, as well as a vertical adjustment of the position of the electrode being sealed in, a chuck for holding either single or double beads, while-being sealed in, being employed and a removable plug being used for closing one end of the lamp bulb, while the first seal is being made. On account of the various adjustments provided, it will be seen that I am not limited to usefor the manufacture of quartz lamps of any definite size.

Although a preferred embodiment of my invention has been disclosed, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

' I claim:

1. The method of sealing electrodes into a quartz bulb having'an exhaust tube and sealing glass on each end with holes where the electrodes are to pass thereinto, comprising holding the bulb with its axis vertical and means closing the lower 'hole, passing inert gas into said exhaust tube,

positioning an electrode in the upper hole, heating the sealing glass around the-upper hole, moving the inserted electrode around to-close the seal quickly, forming the seal by increasing the pressure of said inert gas, turning th bulb over, opening the other hole, and again holding with its axis vertical, positioning the other electrode in the remaining hole, sealing said electrode in place in the same manner as the first electrode, and tipping off the exhaust tube to hold the protective inert gas in the bulb.

2. The Imethod of sealing electrodes into a quartz bulb, having an exhaust tube and sealing glass on each end, with holes for. receiving said v electrodes, comprising holding the bulb with its in the upper hole and heating the sealing glassthe holes in said bulb, passing inert gas into said From the foregoing disclosure it will be seen that I have devised a machine to replace the slow,

highly skilled, hand operation of sealing elec therearound, moving the inserted electrode to glass on each end, with holes where the electrodes are to pass thereinto, comprising closing one of exhaust tube, positioning an electrode in the open hole, heating the sealing glass around said 'open'hole, moving the inserted electrode to close the seal quickly, forming the seal byv'arying the pressure of said inert gas, opening said other hole,

positioning the other electrode in the other hole, sealing said other electrode in placein the same other, heating the sealing glass around said electrode in the hole, moving said electrode to close the seal quickly, opening the other hole, post 'intoaelectrode in one of said holes while closing the other, heating the sealing glass around said positioned electrode, to cause sealing thereof in said bulb, opening the other hole, positioning the other electrode in said opened hole, sealing the electrode in place in the same manner as the first electrode, and tipping off the exhaust tube.

6. The method of sealing electrodes into a quartz bulb having an exhaust tube and sealing glass at each end, with holes where the electrodes are to pass thereinto, comprising positioning an electrode in one of .said holes while closing the other, heating the sealing glass around said positioned electrode, to cause sealing thereof in said bulb, opening the other hole, positioning the other electrode in said opened hole, and sealing the electrode in place in the same manner as the first electrode.

'7. Apparatus for sealing electrodes into a quartz bulb having an exhaust tube and sealing glass on each end, with holes therein where the electrodes are to pass thereinto, comprising a chuck for holding such a bulb with its axis vertical, resilient means for closing the lower end of said bulb, a pedal for operating said chuck, a

lever for raising and lowering said chuck, means for connecting said exhaust tube to a source of inert gas, a pedal for controlling the pressure of said gas, a. chuck for holding an electrode in position in the upper hole of said bulb, a lever for moving said chuck up and down, screws for adjusting the position of said chuck from side to side and to and from the operator, a multiple burner for providing fires to encircle the upper end of said bulb, means for moving said fires to and from position with regard to said bulb, flexible tubes for supplying fuel to said fires, and means resiliently mounting said fires.

8. Apparatus f r sealing electrodes into a bulb having an exhaust tube and a hole at each end therein where the electrodes are to pass there into, comprising means for holding the bulb with its axis upright, resilient means for closing the lower hole in said bulb, means for operating said :from position with respect to said bulb, and

means for supplying fuel to said fires.

9. Apparatus for sealing electrodes into a glass on each end, with holes therein where the electrodes are to pass thereinto, comprising a chuck for holding a bulb with its axis vertical,

resilient means for closing the lower hole in said bulb, means for connecting said exhaust tube to a source of inert gas, a chuck for holding an electrode in position in the upper hole in said bulb, and a multiple burner for providing fires to encircle the upper end portion of said bulb around said hole.

10. Apparatus for sealing electrodes into a quartz bulb having an exhaust tube and sealing glass on'each end, with holes therein where the electrodes are to' pass thereinto, comprising a chuck for. holding a bulb with its axis vertical, resilient means for closing the lower end of said bulb, means for operating said chuck, means for raising and lowering the same, means for connecting said exhaust tube to a source of inert gas, a chuck for holding an electrode in position in the upper hole of said bulb, and a multiple burner for providing fires to encircle the upper end of said bulb.

11. Apparatus for sealing electrodes into a quartz bulb having an exhaust tube and sealing glass on each end, with holes therein where the electrodes are to pass thereinto, comprising a chuck for holding a bulb with its axis vertical, resilient means for closing the lower end of said bulb, means for connecting said exhaust tube to a source of inert gas, means for controlling the pressure of said gas, a chuck for holding an electrode in position in the upper hole of said bulb, and means for providing fires encircling the upper end portion of said bulb.

12. Apparatus for sealing electrodes into a quartz bulb having an exhaust tube and sealing glass on each end, with holes therein where the electrodes areto pass thereinto, comprising a chuck adapted to hold such a bulb with its axis vertical, resilient means for closing the lower hole therein, means for connecting said exhaust tube to a source of inert gas, means for holding an electrode in position in the upper hole of said bulb, a lever for moving said holding means up and down, means for adjusting the position of said holding means from side to side, and means for providing fires encircling the upper end portion of said bulb.

13, Apparatus for sealing electrodes into a quartz bulb having an exhaust tube and sealing glass on each end, with holes therein where the electrodes are to pass thereinto, comprising a chuck for holding a bulb with its axis vertical and resilient means therebeneath closing the lower hole in said bulb, means for connecting a source of inert gas to said exhaust tube, a chuck for holding an electrode in position in the upper hole of said bulb, a multiple burner to provide fires encircling the upper'end portion with respect to said bulb, means for supplying fuel to said burner, and means for resiliently mounting the same.

GEORGE A. FREEMAN. 

